Short length tape feeder



Oct. 10, 1967 J. P. LOPEZ 3,346,433

SHORT LENGTH TAPE FEEDER Filed Jan. 2l. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 10,1967 J. P. LOPEZ 3,346,433

SHORT LENGTH TAPE FEEDER Filed Jan. 2l, 1966 5 Sheecs-SheelfI 2 IN VENTOR. .fa/wv P. aPf-z Oct. 10, 1967 J. P. LOPEZ 3,346,433

SHORT LENGTH TAPE FEEDER Filed Jan. 2l, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTOR.JOHN P. UPEI J. P. LOPEZ Oct. 10, 1967 SHORT LENGTH TAPE FEEDER 5Sheets-Sheetl 4 Filed Jan. 2l 1966 l l .f 1 l 1 l l l l l IN VEN TOR.J/M/ P. 0M-z Oct. 10, 1967 J. P. LOPEZ SHORT LENGTH TAPE FEEDER 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 21, 1966 United States Patent C) 3,346,433SHORT LENGTH TAPE FEEDER John P. Lopez, Westfield, NJ., assignor toUniversal Corrugated Box Machinery Corporation, Cranford, N J., acorporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 522,149 8Claims. (Cl. 156-355) This invention relates to the art of tape applyingmechanism and more particularly to mechanism for applying short lengthsof tape to folded box blanks.

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending applicationSer. No. 86,813, filed Feb. 2, 1961, now Patent No. 3,238,081.

As conducive to an understanding of the invention, it is noted thatwhere a continuous length of tape is drawn from a roll and issuccessively severed to desired lengths for subsequent application tothe adjacent edges of folded box blanks, for example, advanced insequence to connect lsuch edges, if the tape is not dependably guidedfrom the supply roll upon which it is wound into position beneath thecutting knife, the entire width of the tape may not be severed withresultant malfunctioning. Furthermore, where the tape and the cuttingknife are ganged together alternately to advance the tape and to cut thelatter, and the cutting knife, when it is moved downwardly rapidly toeffect the cutting of the tape, strikes a rigid base member or anvil andbounces back and forth, several cuts may be made in the tape as it isintermittently advanced, with resultant scrap which may jam theequipment and furthermore, such scrap may itself be aiiixed to thefolded box blanks so that an unsatisfactory connection is made.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a tapefeeding and applying unit that is relatively simple in construction andnot likely to become disarranged and will dependably sever relativelyshort lengths of tape from a continuous strip at a high rate of speedand successively apply such lengths to a moving article with assurancethat the length of tape will be completely cut across its entire widthand with a single clean cut without scraps being formed and whichlengths of severed tape will be dependably applied to each of the movingarticles at the sarne relative position.

According to the invention, a continuous length of tape is advanced pasta cutting member and guided so that the entire width of the tape will betraversed by the cutting member and severed in timed relation with theadvance of the moving articles. The forward end of the tape is securelyheld adjacent the cutting Vmember and is continuously held until it isadvanced into engagement with the moving article at which time it isreleased.

More particularly, the cutting member comprises a Vreciprocable bladewhich is moved against a rigid anvil to sever the tape therebetween. Theblade is mounted so that when it strikes the tape and the anviltherebeneath, there will be substantially no bounce imparted to theblade which could result in the severing of extremely short lengths of`tape which would form scrap.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown 4one of various possibleembodiments of the several features of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a .tape feeding and applyingequipment,

FIG. 2 is a plan View of a folded box blank, FIG. 3 is a detail view ofone of the tape guides, FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 on anenlarged scale,

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a View takenalong line 6 6 of FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a sectional View of the tapeapplying drum,

3,346,433 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken alongline 8 8 of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a top plan View partially in cross section, and with partsbroken away, of the tape advance and cutting member,

FIG. l0 is a side elevation of the tape advance and cutting lever,

FIG. 11 is a top plan view partially in cross section, and with partsbroken away, of the cutting anvil,

FG. l2 is a sectional View taken along line 12 12 of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 is a plan View of the tape stripper blade,

FIG. 14 is an end View showing the support for the mechanism, and

FIG. 15 is a view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. l.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a tape feeding andapplying equipment, the latter being associated with the conveyer unit11 for advancing folded box blanks 12 of the type having juxtaposededges 12a, 12b, which are to be secured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyer unit comprises a lower conveyer 13which may comprise an endless belt 14 riding around rollers 15, theupper run 16 of the belt being supported by rollers 17.

Positioned above the upper run 16 of belt 14 is a frame 18 which mountsa plurality of rollers 19 adapted to retain the folded box blank 12against the belt 14 when such blank is inserted into the inlet 21 of theconveyer.

The frame 18 is supported from a bracket 22 in manner such that itsposition may be vertically adjusted to accommodate box blanks ofdifferent thickness.

A second frame 23 is provided which also carries a plurality `of rollers24, 25, the roller 25 mounting one end of an endless belt 26 and theroller 24 being longitudinally spaced from roller 19 of frame 18. Theframe 23 is supported in manner such that its position may be verticallyadjusted, as by rotation of handwheel 27.

A support 31, illustratively a channel member, is secured as by bolts 32to brackets 122 Iand 30 so that it extends in horizontal position overthe conveyor 13.

Depending from the channel member 31 is a tape feed unit 33 which, asshown in FIG. 14, comprises a pair of spaced side plates 34, 35connected at their upper edges 36, as by transverse spacer bar 37 (FIG.4), to form a rigid assembly.

Rising from one end of spacer bar 37 and extending through bushing 4-1,rising from channel support 31, is stud 43 secured to the spacer bar asby set screw 45, the stud being retained in desired position in thebushing by thumb screw 46.

Rising from the other end of spacer bar 37, and rotatably mounted withVrespect thereto, is a screw 48 which extends through a tapped bushing49 rising from channel member 31. The upper end of the screw 48desirably has a reversible ratchet bar 51 mounted thereon so that uponrotation of screw 48 the taper unit 33 may be raised and lowered asdesired, guided by the stud 43.

Extending transversely between the Iplates 34 and 35 is a roller 52(FIG. 4) which slidably mounts a pair of tape guide plates 53 (FIG. 3)which have a left and right hand tapped opening 54 through which extendsan adjustment screw 54 having 4a left and right hand thread, said screwhaving a knob 55 secured thereto for rotation thereof to move the plates53 toward and away from each other.

Thus, the spacing between plates 53 may be adjusted to accommodate tapeof desired width.

Also positioned between plates 34, 35 is an eccentrically -mountedroller 56 (FIG. 4) which is weighted as at 57 so that it will tend tomove toward roller 52, Thus, when a length of tape T from a suit-ablesupply roll (not shown) is positioned between rollers 52, 56, the tapeT, thoughV free to move forward, cannot move backward, for the eccentricroller 56 will clamp'the tape T against roller V52 to prevent suchbackward movement.

Extending transversely'between plates 34, 35, beneath Yrollers 52, `56,isa support bar 61 (FIGS. 4 and 5 which mounts a plurality of cl-ampbars 62, illustratively four -in number, extending at right anglesthereto. The adjacent upper edges of the clamp bars `62 are conformed togrip the ends of an associated guide nger 63 when a screw 64,V extendingthrough the bars 62, is tightened and the clamp bars `are secured to thesupport bar 61 as by screws 65. The fingers 63 serve to guide the tape TY to the tape feeding and cutting mechanism hereinafter described.

. The tape feeding and cutting mechanism comprisesV av yoke 71 (FIGS.`9, 10) having a pair of parallel legs 72 'and 73 and a cross bar 74, tothe central portion of which one end of an arm 75 is affixed, asbywelding atV 76.

Each of the legs 72, 73 hasl a bearing 77 in which tending Vtoward theother ends thereof, the free edge Y85V of the blade being normallyspaced from the undersurface of the legs, as shown in FIG.. l0.

The cross bar 74 in its undersurface has an elongated groove 86 in whicha knife 87 is positioned, screws 88 extending through the top of the barinto thevgroove 86 permitting adjustment of the knife 87, and transversescrews 89 providing for lookin-g of the knife in adjusted position. Y

Each of the end s V89 of legs 72, 73 of the yoke 71 has an opening 91(FIG. 9) to receive :a rod 92 which is secured in said ends by setscrews 94. The rod 92 mounts a feed roller 95 which preferably hasbearings 96V at each of its ends, through which the rod 92 extends, theroller being restrained from 'transverse -movement along the rod 92 bycollars 97 secured to the rod by set screws 98.

Positioned beneath the knife 87 is an anvil 101 (FIGS. l1 and l2)extending transversely between Vthe side 4: Y end of the plunger 1,27 ispivoted, .as at 132, to one end of a link 133, the other endl of whichis pivoted, as at 134, to the end of arm 75 of lever 82. Y As shown inFIG. 6v, the link 133 is in the form of a substantially I-I-shapedclevis, the upper legs 133e of which have transversely aligned openings13311 through which pivot pin 132 extends, theY pin illustratively beingretained in place by a snap ring 133C. The lower legs Y 133d of theclevis also :have transversely aligned openings 133e therethroughthrough which the pivot pin 134 extends. Y

As is shown in FIG. 6, the pivot pin is retained in position by snapring 133f. The ends 134e of the pivot pin 134 extend through the bore134b of a heavy weight 134C,

. illustratively a roller, the diameter of the bore 134b beingconsiderably greater than that of the pivot pin 134 forV the purposehereinafter set forth. The rollers 134e are i retained loosely on thepivot pin 134 as by means of a plates 34 and 35, the free ends 90 offinger 63 extending to said anvil, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and l2, the anvil, which desir- Y ably is arectangular plate having its longitudinal edge 102 beveled as at 103issecured as Vby 4screws 104 to the ends Vof across bar 105 extendingtransversely between plates 34, 35 .and secured thereto as by screws106.

' iPositioned beneath the fingers 63 is a roller 107 (FIGS. 4 and 11)havin-g grooves 108 in its periphery in which the lingers 63 may lie,respectively. The roller 107 is secured by set screw 109 to a shaft 111extending transversely through bearings 112 mounted on the plates 34,35, the shaft 111 being restrained from transverse movement by a collar113 secured to one end and by a gear 114 secured to the other end.

=Means are provided to -pivot the lever 82 to effect advance of the tapeT and to sever such tape.

-To that end, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 14,1a spaced plate 1-21 is securedto side plate 35 yand mounts a supporting plate 122 which rises fromsaid spacer plate parallel to the vertical plane thereof.

Afxed to the upper portion of plate 122, as by screws 123, is asubstantially L-shaped bracket 124, the lateral leg 125 of the bracketmounting a solenoid 126 which extends through an opening 130 in thechannel member 31.

The upper end of the plungerf127 of the solenoid ex tends through an arm129 extending laterally Voutward from the vertical leg 131 of thebracket 124. The lower a snap ring 1341i.

Means are provided normally to urge the lever 82 in a clockwisedirection about its pivotal mount. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 14, suchmeans desirably comprise a compression spring Y135 encompassingy theupper end of Vplunger 127 and compressed between the arm V129 and acollar 137 .secured to the plunger 127. The compression spring thusVnormally urges the plunger 127 downwardly to urge the lever 82 in aclockwise direction, so that the knife 87 will normally be moved againstthe anvil 101 and the roller 95 away from roller 107.

Means are provided to transfer the lengths of tape T severed by theknife V87, in thermanner to be described,

to the box blank 12. To this'end, the tape transfer unit f' 121, shownin FIGS. 4 and 7, is provided. This unit cornprises a vacuum drumincluding a sleeve 152, in one end of which a disc 153 is affixed as bywelding at 154. The other end of the sleeve 152 also has a dise 155aflixed thereto, but in this case as by set screws 156, to permit readyremoval thereof. The sleeve 152 has a plurality of centrally locatedperforations 157 therethrough arranged in a row extendingcircumferentially therearound. The disc 153 has a shaft 158 affixed atone end thereto, as at 159, and extending axially outward therefromthrough a bearing 161 mounted in the side plate 35. A gear 162 isaffixed as by set screw 163 to the shaft 158, ya spacer sleeve 164encompassing the shaft between bearing 161 and gear 162. The gear 162through idler gear 164' Y (FIGS. 4 and ll) mounted on stud shaft 165drives gear V114Vand roller 107 upon rotation of Vshaft 158.

To-rotate shaft 158, la universal connector fitting 167 is axed to theVouter end of shaft 158, as by pin 168,

and to a shaft 169 driven by suitable drive means (not tape feed unit33, and fixed with respect thereto, is a pipe 177 which also extendsthrough the bearing'175, the pipeV serving as a shaft for the transferunit 151.

In order to provide an airtight seal, an annular sealing member 178 ispositioned'in thereduced diameter por tion 179 of bore 172, engaging theperiphery of the pipe,

as at 181. Y

Secured to the inner end of the pipe, as by welding at 182, is a disc183, the periphery of which engages the inner surface of the sleeve152.0ver an angle of substantially 180 degrees to cover thecorresponding perforations 157 through said sleeve 152, the periphery ofsaid disc 183 having a sealing strip 184 thereon to Vinsure dependablesealing of the associated perforations.

The disc 183 is positioned inthe sleeve, as shown in FIG.`8, so that theperforations 157 on the left half of the sleeve 152 will be covered andthe perforations in the right half of the sleeve will be open.

The outer end of pipe 177 is threaded, as at 186, and mounts a fitting187 to which a pipe 188 is connected, said pipe 188 being connected to asource of suction (not shown).

In order to permit relatively short lengths of tape to be picked up bythe transfer unit 151, means are provided to force the tape passingbetween the knife 87 and anvil 101 against the periphery of sleeve 152.In the illustrative embodiment herein shown, such means comprises a pairof links 191, as shown in FIG. 4, pivotally mounted, respectively, as at192 to the side plates 34, 35. The free ends of the links rotatablymount a roller 193 which extends transversely between the side platesover the periphery of sleeve 152. To limit the upward movement of theroller, an adjustable stop means or bar 194 is secured to the front edgeof the plate 34, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower end of said stop memberserving as an abutment for the associated link 191. Thus, the `tape Twill pass between roller 193 and sleeve 152, and the tape T will beguided into juxtaposition with the sleeve 152 to be held thereagainst bysuction applied through the perforations 157.

Means are provided to apply moisture to the gummed surface of the tape Tafter it has been cut to the desired length.

To this end, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 15, the spraying assembly isprovided. The spraying assembly comprises a pipe 195 extending through asleeve 196 rigid with a mounting plate 197 which is secured by screw 198to an arm 199 extending laterally from a plate 200 secured, as by screws201, to plate 122.

The pipe 195, which is at an incline as shown, has collars 202, 203thereon straddling the sleeve 196 and secured in place by set screws204.

The nose end of the pipe 195 mounts a nozzle 205 and a solenoidoperatedvalve 206 is connected to the pipe 195 between the nozzle 205 and collar202 to control the spray from the nozzle.

The rear end of the pipe 195 is connected to a fitting 207 and a pipe208 extends from said fitting at right angles to pipe 195 and isconnected at its end to a second fitting 209. A heater 211 is mounted infitting 207 and extends into pipe 208, and a thermostat (not shown) ismounted in fitting 209, said thermostat having a control screw 212.

A connector box 213 is secured to the fitting 207 and receives wires 214from the solenoid valve 206. The connector box has an On-Off switch 215to control the heater 21S and an indicating light 216 which shows whenthe heater 211 is on, said indicator, said switch, the heater andthermostat being electrically connected in conventional manner.

The fitting 209 has an inlet port 221 to which pipe 222 is connected tosupply water to the nozzle.

Means are provided to collect excess Water sprayed from the nozzle 205and to restrict such spray.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 14, a support bar 224 is secured to sideplates 34, 35 and extends transversely thereacross. The bar 224 has apair of opposed ledges 225 on which a trough 226 is seated, the troughbeing releasably retained on the ledges by a set screw 227, a pipe 228being connected to said trough to drain the latter.

Secured to the rear wall of the trough 226 at each end, and risingtherefrom, are curved fingers 229 (FIG. 4) which are spaced laterallyfrom the drum 151. The upper ends of the fingers mount a baffle plate231 which extends transversely thereacross, the function of which willbe hereinafter described.

Means are provided to operate the equipment in timed relation with theadvance of the box blanks by the conveyer 13. To this end, as shown inFIG. 1, -a pair of switch fingers 241, 242 is provided, the positions ofwhich are adjustable and which may be engaged by the leading edge of thebox blank as it is advanced.

Operation To ready the equipment for operation, the tape T is threadedfrom the supply roll between the guide plates 53 which are adjusted byrotating knob 55, depending upon the width of the tape, so that the tapewill be aligned with the knife 87. Thereupon, the tape T is threadedbetween rollers 52 and 56, over fingers 63, which guide the tape to theanvil 101, and beneath feed roll and knife 87, and then between roller193 and drum 151.

The spray assembly 10 is held in fixed position by set screw 230 insleeve 196. This screw is loosened and the position of pipe 195 isadjusted so -as to space nozzle 205 a desired distance from the vacuumdrum 151, and the screw 230 is tightened. In normal use, when tapes ofeither of two widths may be used, the collars 202 and 203 are secured tothe pipe 195 at desired distances from the plate 147 so that when theset screw 230 in sleeve 196 is loosened, the assembly 10` may be movedto the front or rear to the desired position.

The heater 211 is then turned on by operating the associated switch 215.The indicating lamp 216 will glow when the thermostat calls for moreheat and go off when the water is at the desired temperature.

The switch fingers 241 .and 242 are spaced by a distance equal to thelength of tape desired and then the conveyer 13 is actuated so that theupper run 16 thereof will move in the direction indicated. Suction isapplied to drum 151 and the drive motor (not shown) actuated to rotateshaft 158 (FIG. 8).

The equipment will operate as follows:

As the solenoid 126 is normally de-energized, the lever 82 will be urgedby the spring 135 to the position shown in FIG. 4, in which the knife 87is against the anvil 101 and the feed roller 95 is spaced from roller107 so that the tape T will not be advanced.

When the leading edge of the box blank 12 engages switch finger 241, thesolenoid 126 will be energized so that the lever 82 will be pivoted in acounterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 4. Thus, theknife 87 will be moved away from anvil 101 and roller 95 will urge thetape T resting on ngers 63 against the periphery of continuously `drivenroller 107. By reason of resilient plate 83, when the knife `87 is movedaway from the anvil, the free edge of the plate `83 will retain the freeend of the tape against the anvil for subsequent adv-ance past theknife.

As a result, the tape T will be advanced beneath the knife 87 and theroller 193, the latter guiding the tape T against the periphery of saiddrum over perforations 157, and will be advanced by said drum with itsgumrned surface directed outwardly, the suction applied to the tapethrough the perforations 157 securely retaining the tape in fixedposition with respect to the drum.

When the switch finger 241 is engaged, the solenoid valve 206controlling the spray nozzle 205 will also be activated to open thevalve to provide a fine spray of water onto the gummed surface of tape Tas the latter is advanced by the drum past the nozzle 205.

By reason of the baffle 231, substantially no spray will reach theoperating elements of the machine and excess Water will drop into thetrough 226, from which it will drain through pipe 228.

When the leading edge of the box blank engages switch finger 242, thesolenoid 126 will be de-energized and the spring will quickly pivotlever 82 in -a clockwise direction so that the knife 87 will movedownwardly rapidly against the tape which is resting on the anvil 101.Such downward movement will sever the tape and the roller 95 will bemoved away from roller 107 to stop further pulling of tape from thesupply roll.

Referring to FIG. 6, before the solenoid 126 is deenergized, with theclevis 133 in its uppermost position, both of the heavy rollers 134Cwill be resting on the pro truding ends of pin 134 as shown on the leftside of FIG. 6. When the solenoid is d e-energized the tensed spring 135will quickly move the clevis downwardly to bring the knife 87 againstthe tape resting on the -anvil 101 to effect the cutting action. As theresult of such rapid downwardV movement of the clevis, due to inertia,the heavy weights Vreason of its abutment against the anvil, the heavyrollers 134e` will then move downwardly rapidly by reason of the boreclearance. As a result of the weight of the rollers Y 134C, any tendencyof the knifeV 87 to bounce upwardly will Ybe overcome by the downwardmovement of the lheavy rollers thereby insuring that the knife 87 willre- Vmain against the anvil and only one cleanV cut will be made in thetape. Y

The engagement of switch finger 242 by the leading edge of the box blank12'will also de-energize solenoid 206. However, through suitablecircuits a slight time delay is provided before the solenoid valve V206is closed to insurethat the trailing edge of the severed tape will bemoistened.

VKThe distance between the switch fingers 241, 242 is such as to providethe desired length of tape to be applied to the box blank and, since thedrum 151 holds the tape substantially as soon as it passes the knifev87, the tape cannot shift. Thus, the severed and moistened length oftape is carried by the drum 151 to be pressed against the folded boxblank over the juxtaposed edges thereof to connect suchedges. Since theperforations 157 in drum 151 are sealed by gasket 184 substantially 1-80degrees from the point where the tape is first brought into control withthe drum, the suction against the tape will cease at Y the position itis brought into contact with the box blank sothat the tape will adhereto the latter and readily be stripped off the drum 151 as the'box blankis advanced. Since the end of the tape drawn from the supply roll Vatthe time of severing by the knife is exactly at such knife edge, andsince the distance that such end must travel before it is incontrol withthe box blank is fixed, it is apparent that by proper positioning of theswitch fingers and the distance therebetween, the location at which theend of the tape will bebrought into contact withV the box blankwand thelength ofthe severed strip, may be set as desired. f

YBy reason of the relatively short distance between the knife 87 andYthe roller193 which guides the tape against the drum 151,V it isapparent that extremely short lengths ofjtape maybe cut, and such shortlengths will Ibe securely Vretained against the drum -by reason of thesuction applied through the perforations 157.

` "By reason of the adjustable guide blades 54, there is assurance thatregardless of the width of the tape, it will be accurately centered withrespect to the knife 87 to insure complete cutting of strips of desiredlength; By reason of the weights or rollers 134C associated with theclevis 133, there is assurance that once the knife 87 strikes the lanvilit will not bounce back and forth thereby avoidingYV the repeatedcutting'of relatively short lengths of tape which would occur since thetape would be fed by the feed roller 95 carried Vby the yoke 71 whichalso carries the blade 87. Y'

As many changes could be made in theV above construction, and manyapparently widely different embodimentsY of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative .and not in a limitingsense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United Y States is:

Y continuous release of the tape from the transfer unit at pair ofrollers, at least one of which ismovable toward the other, said cuttingmeans comprising a knife and an anvil, said knife being movable againstsaid anvil, a pivoted member -carrying one of said rollers and saidknife on opposed sides of the pivotal axis thereof respectively, wherebywhen said knife engages said anvil said roller will ybe spaced from itsvassociated roller, said tape being movable between said rollers andonto said anvil, a rotatable transfer unit having a circular peripherypositioned adjacent said knife, said periphery being in the path ofmovement of the tape past said knife to convey the tape onto the work asthe latter is moving, the entire periphery of said transfer unit beingrotatable past the path of movement of'said tape, suction means in saiddrum coacting V with the inner surface of the tape to retain the latterY against the periphery of the transfer unit, meanstoeffectsubstantially the location where the tape is moved by the transfer unitonto the movable work, control means to actuate said movable roller andsaid knife for alternately Yfeeding .and cutting controlled lengths oftape, and means associated with saidrpivotal member to exert a downwardforce when said knife blade strikes said anvil to prevent bouncing ofsaid knife. Y

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which means are provided toalign said tape with said knife, the width of said knife being greaterthan the width of said tape.

3. The combination set Vforth in claim 1 Vin which means are provided toalign said tape with said knife, the width of said knife being greaterthan the width of said tape, said means comprising a pair of spacedVparallel plates, a rod supporting said plates for free movement thereofalong said rod, each of said plates having a threaded opening, saidthreaded openings having oppositely directed threads and a threadedshaft having opposite'lysdirected threads extending through saidthreaded openingsV whereby upon rotation of said shaft said plates maybemoved toward and away from each other.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which theY through whichprotruding ends extend respectively, each Y of said bores 'being ofdiameter considerably larger thanV the diameter of theV protruding endsof said pin.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 in which each of said weightscomprises a roller. Y

6. The combination set forthrin claim 1 in which means 'are provided toalign said tape withfsaid Vk'nife,'the width of said knife being greaterthan the width of said tape, said means comprising a pair of spacedparallel plates, a rod supporting said plates for free movement thereof:along said rod, each of said plates having a threaded opening, saidthreaded openings having oppositelyrdirected threads and a threadedshaft having oppositely directed threads extending through said threadedopenings whereby upon rotation of said shaftsaid plates may be movedtoward and away from each other, means to actuate said pivoted membercomprising a solenoid having -an arma- 7. The combination set forth-inclaim V1 in which aY spraying assembly is provided having a spray-nozzlepositioned to direct a spray of liquid against theV gummed surface ofsaid-tape as the latter is advanced by the transfer unit, saidspraying-assembly including a valve, saidY Control means actuating saidvalve to provide a spray of water against the gummed surface of saidtape when said movable roller is actuated to feed said tape onto therotatable transfer unit.

8. The combination set forth in claim 4 in which resilient meansreacting against said armature normally urge said pivoted member -to aposition in which said knife engages said anvil, said solenoid whenenergized moving 10 against the force exerted by said resilient means tomove the knife vaway from said anvil.

No references cited.

EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

D. I. DRUMMOND, Assistant Examiner'.

1. A MACHINE FOR APPLYING TAPE HAVING A GUMMED SURFACE TO A MOVING PIECEOF WORK, COMPRISING TAPE FEEDING AND TAPE CUTTING MEANS, SAID FEEDINGMEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF ROLLERS, AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH IS MOVABLETOWARD THE OTHER, SAID CUTTING MEANS COMPRISING A KNIFE AND AN ANVIL,SAID KNIFE BEING MOVABLE AGAINST SAID ANVIL, A PIVOTED MEMBER CARRYINGONE OF SAID ROLLERS AND SAID KNIFE ON OPPOSED SIDES OF THE PIVOTAL AXISTHEREOF RESPECTIVELY, WHEREBY WHEN SAID KNIFE ENGAGE SAID ANVIL SAIDROLLER WILL BE SPACED FROM ITS ASSOCIATED ROLLER, SAID TAPE BEINGMOVABLE BETWEEN SAID ROLLERS AND ONTO SAID ANVIL, A ROTATABLE TRANSFERUNIT HAVING A CIRCULAR PERIPHERY POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID KNIFE, SAIDPERIPHRTY BEING IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE TAPE PAST SAID KNIFE TOCONVEY THE TAPE ONTO THE WORK AS THE LATTER IS MOVING, THE ENTIREPERIPHERY OF SAID TRANSFER UNIT BEING ROTATABLE PAST THE PATH OFMOVEMENT OF SAID TAPE, SUCTION MEANS IN SAID FRUM COACTING WITH THEINNER SURFACE OF THE TAPE TO RETAIN THE LATTER AGAINST THE PERIPHERY OFTHE TRANSFER UNIT, MEANS TO EFFECT CONTINUOUS RELEASE OF THE TAPE FROMTHE TRANSFER UNIT AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE LOCATION WHERE THE TAPE IS MOVEDBY THE TRANSFER UNIT ONTO THE MOVABLE WORK, CONTROL MEANS TO ACTUATESAID MOVABLE ROLLER AND SAID KNIFE FOR ALTERNATELY FEEDING AND CUTTINGCONTROLLED LENGTH OF TAPE, AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PIVOTAL MEMBERTO EXERT A DOWNWARD FORCE WHEN SAID KNIFE BLADE STRIKES SAID ANVIL TOPREVENT BOUNCING OF SAID KNIFE.